Yep, he does look a little out of it. I agree it would be nice to get another pic once he's home. If I knew what hospital he was in I'd turn up with some grapes. Only kidding!

I've a gut feeling that it's that hospital in Bristol where he consulted a specialist before deciding to withdraw from RG. The reason for that is because it's obviously a private room in an NHS hospital and London must have an infinity of purely private hospitals and clinics he could have gone to.

He looks better than I expected. How nice that he is keeping his fans up-to-date. It will be nice to see how he is at home. I think it is a good move he has made showing the world that he has , in fact, had an op and being secretive.

I think it shows that he cares about his fans. He knows people are worrying about him, and has bothered to give them something. Rather more than a lot of his fellow "celebrities" might do. It also shows his total lack of arrogance. Not for Mr M "Oh I must be tarted up, wearing the latest designer hospital gown, must think of my image" photo. The lad's as straight as a die .

Can folks imagine what sort of photo Fed the Pillock might put out in a similar situation? Perhaps someone good with Photoshop might have a go.

When I woke up groggy with drugs and feeling like s*it after my hip op my thoughts were that the worse was over, the recovery had already started.

He looks quite good, and I'm sure very relieved that it is over and he can move on. He looks as if he is on pain relief I had that when I had my knee done, you can press the button when you feel you need a top up. You feel great, but look out of it as you are a 'high.'

I've a gut feeling that it's that hospital in Bristol where he consulted a specialist before deciding to withdraw from RG. The reason for that is because it's obviously a private room in an NHS hospital and London must have an infinity of purely private hospitals and clinics he could have gone to.

Most of the big NHS London hospitals will have private wards, and many Harley Street docs split their time with the NHS.

It's a bit of a myth that you have to go private to get the best. In fact, private hospitals can have shoddy standards, and are notorious for having to transfer patients to the local NHS one if there is any kind of complication. The only real benefit you get from a private hospital as opposed to a private room in an NHS hospital is a plusher room and not being in a big hospital, or if your choice of doctor only does private work.

Loads of really top doctors take a sense of pride out of staying in the NHS, especially if it's a teaching hospital.

The hospital in Bristol does have a great reputation for spinal work, so it's definitely a possibility, but it's not the only NHS hospital with top doctors and private rooms.

Most of the big NHS London hospitals will have private wards, and many Harley Street docs split their time with the NHS.

It's a bit of a myth that you have to go private to get the best. In fact, private hospitals can have shoddy standards, and are notorious for having to transfer patients to the local NHS one if there is any kind of complication. The only real benefit you get from a private hospital as opposed to a private room in an NHS hospital is a plusher room and not being in a big hospital, or if your choice of doctor only does private work.

Loads of really top doctors take a sense of pride out of staying in the NHS, especially if it's a teaching hospital.

The hospital in Bristol does have a great reputation for spinal work, so it's definitely a possibility, but it's not the only NHS hospital with top doctors and private rooms.

Funnily enough I said the same to Hubby last night, the girl across the road is having chemo privately and has had it postponed by a day due to staff issues, my Hubby had his 7th session yesterday at the local NHS Hospital, when they had finished the chemo he took a funny turn, they reacted with such speed, called a Doctor, took his BP and temperature numerous times before letting him go home, I now have to phone to make sure he can carry on with the medication, can't fault the NHS when you are ill.By the way I didn't see Andy at our local Hospital so we can rule that one out.Although I have tickets for the semis at the WTF I hope Andy will not play again till the AO, I really hope when he feels better that him and Kim havesome quality time together

Most of the big NHS London hospitals will have private wards, and many Harley Street docs split their time with the NHS.

It's a bit of a myth that you have to go private to get the best. In fact, private hospitals can have shoddy standards, and are notorious for having to transfer patients to the local NHS one if there is any kind of complication. The only real benefit you get from a private hospital as opposed to a private room in an NHS hospital is a plusher room and not being in a big hospital, or if your choice of doctor only does private work.

Loads of really top doctors take a sense of pride out of staying in the NHS, especially if it's a teaching hospital.

The hospital in Bristol does have a great reputation for spinal work, so it's definitely a possibility, but it's not the only NHS hospital with top doctors and private rooms.

I do know that Sparkle. I've also heard the stories about operations and treatments that have gone drastically wrong in private hospitals (and the many mistakes, sometimes fatal, made in below par NHS hospitals), and know that 'private' doesn't necessarily mean 'best', but Andy sought out the top back experts, whose credentials he presumably checked out thoroughly, so he would have been extremely lucky if the op had been botched. Edinburgh has two excellent private hospitals, and I have friends and relatives (who have medical insurance) who have been very satisfied with the standard of treatment and care provided.

I took the 'thumbs up ' picture to be beforehand ie 'thumbs up - thanks for the support' He surely wouldn't be lying on his back just after surgery, would he?

Anyhow, just me fussing along with many on here. It's great to read positive comments suggesting all has gone well. That is the main thing. Along with all best wishes for a full and speedy recovery.

That did cross my mind, but it wasn't major back surgery, so I can see no reason why he wouldn't by lying on his back. Also from the tubes, etc, and the totally zonked expression on his face, I'm pretty sure it was taken post op, probably by Kim.

Anyway he's tweeted on the Good Luck thread praising the hospital staff for putting him back together again, so it's obvious that he's home now.

Edinburgh has two excellent private hospitals, and I have friends and relatives (who have medical insurance) who have been very satisfied with the standard of treatment and care provided.

I wasn't trying to suggest anything negative of private hospitals, so I'm sorry if I gave that impression. Just pointing out that it's not automatic that the best doctors only work exclusively in private hospitals, and clarifying that the big London hospitals have private wards too, so not to rule it out.

Andy may never say where he's had his operation, and that may be no bad thing as everyone with a bad back will want to copy, whether it's right for them or not. I'd also argue that the clever part isn't necessarily the operation itself, but working out which procedure is the most appropriate. Andy sought several opinions back in May and possibly again before making his decision to go ahead with the operation. You don't want to rely on the opinion of the person who does the operation, as they'll be biased. Surgeon's always think there is a surgical solutions, while medics favour a medical solution.

People on the internet favour all kinds of mad-cap solutions, based on people tweeting Andy!

I wasn't trying to suggest anything negative of private hospitals, so I'm sorry if I gave that impression. Just pointing out that it's not automatic that the best doctors only work exclusively in private hospitals, and clarifying that the big London hospitals have private wards too, so not to rule it out.

Andy may never say where he's had his operation, and that may be no bad thing as everyone with a bad back will want to copy, whether it's right for them or not. I'd also argue that the clever part isn't necessarily the operation itself, but working out which procedure is the most appropriate. Andy sought several opinions back in May and possibly again before making his decision to go ahead with the operation. You don't want to rely on the opinion of the person who does the operation, as they'll be biased. Surgeon's always think there is a surgical solutions, while medics favour a medical solution.

People on the internet favour alli kinds of mad-cap solutions, based on people tweeting Andy!

Sorry for jumping on you a bit Sparkle. What I said didn't quite come across the way it was intended to.

I really don't think Andy will reveal anything to do with his surgery given that it isn't anyone else's business apart from those who actually know him personally.

I'm not on Twitter, but I can just imagine the number of people who have suddenly become 'back experts' tweeting him!